A new survey by Too Good To Go has revealed that over a third of Irish consumers regularly throw food away, with significant financial and environmental consequences.
Opinion Matters conducted the research on behalf of the food waste app ahead of National Stop Food Waste Day on Saturday 1 March.
The research found that Irish households waste up to €374 per year by disposing of food, with bakery items, bread, fruit and vegetables topping the list of most thrown-out items.
Some 68% said they wanted resources to help cut food waste, while some 75% cited financial reasons as the main motivation to breaking the waste habit.
The biggest culprits contributing to food waste were forgetting about food in the fridge or cupboard (31%), followed by impulse buying (27%) and not checking the cupboard before shopping (23.6%).
Ireland generates approximately 750,000 tonnes of food waste annually across primary production, manufacturing, retail, food services and households, according to the survey.
This contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, with up to 10% of global emissions are linked to food waste.
Stop Food Waste
National Stop Food Waste Day – led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – takes place on 1 March, and a week-long campaign will run until 7 March.
The campaign is part of Ireland’s commitment to halving food waste by 2030 under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
This year’s National Stop Food Waste Day campaign encourages the public to use the Stop Food Waste Pocket Guide to find practical tips on planning, shopping, storage and cooking to reduce food waste.
By making conscious choices, consumers can reduce food waste, save money and contribute to a more sustainable Ireland.
Meanwhile, policymakers and retailers have a crucial role to play in driving systemic change by supporting food waste reduction initiatives and making surplus food available through solutions such as Too Good To Go.
‘Small Changes Can Make A Big Difference’
Commenting on the survey, the sales manager for Too Good To Go Machaela O’Leary said, “Food waste is not just bad for our wallets – it’s bad for the planet.
“This research shows that many Irish households are unintentionally throwing away hundreds of euros worth of food each year.
“The good news is that small changes can make a big difference.
“Simple actions like checking expiry labels properly, storing food correctly or using our app to rescue surplus food can significantly reduce waste and save money.
“We urge policymakers and retailers to collaborate with us in their local areas, making surplus food more accessible and driving meaningful change that benefits both consumers and the environment.”
The Too Good To Go app connects consumers with local restaurants, cafés, bakeries and supermarkets offering surplus food at a reduced price.
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